First shown in 1995, this fly-on-the- wall documentary filmed by Elton’s partner David Furnish remains one of the most candid artist-sanctioned portraits to reach the small screen. An unparalleled insight into the work, rest and play of a global superstar, it’s best remembered for some choice hissy fits.
Elton screams at assistants on a video shoot, berates florists for “disastrous” arrangements, and – most hilariously – vows never to return to the south of France after a fan has the audacity to wave at him while he’s playing tennis. This updated version includes a modicum of new footage, but the big draw is the commentary track with John chuckling at his own preposterous behaviour. It also reveals the delicious trivia snippet that Elton, while performing in Vegas, was registered at his hotel under the name “The World’s Biggest Bouncy Castle”.
The commentary also gives Elton an opportunity to put his entire career into perspective, noting how changes in the music industry have affected all artists and what’s being going on in his own world. As Furnish himself says while re-viewing a scene in the couple’s Home Counties mansion, “there’s a lot more porcelain on that side board now”.
